Tile system

Abstract

A tile system comprises at least two tiles and at least one elongate support. Each tile is generally rectangular in shape and has a first edge, and a second edge, the second edge being generally opposite the first edge. Each elongate support has an attachment portion and a support portion. Proximate the first edge each tile is provided with a groove, the groove being configured to receive the support portion of one of the elongate supports and a portion of an adjacent tile proximate its second edge.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A tile system comprising:
 at least two tiles, each tile included in the at least two tiles being generally rectangular in shape and having a first edge and a second edge, the second edge being generally opposite the first edge, each tile including a general planar portion having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface; and 
 at least one elongate support, each elongate support included in the at least one elongate support having an attachment portion and a support portion; 
 wherein proximate the first edge of each tile included in the at least two tiles is provided with a groove, the groove being configured to receive the support portion of one of the elongate supports included in the at least one elongate support and a portion of an adjacent tile included in the at least two tiles proximate its second edge, wherein the groove of each tile is formed from at least one protrusion having a first portion which extends generally away from the second surface of the generally planar portion and a second portion which extends generally parallel to the generally planar portion towards the first edge of the tile, and wherein the second surface of each tile is formed to define a recess that extends into the second surface toward the first surface and opens toward the second portion of the at least one protrusion; and 
 wherein each tile is provided with one or more engagement features on a portion of the first surface of the tile proximate its second edge; 
 wherein the one or more engagement features includes a rib on the first surface of each tile proximate the second edge, the rib extending away from the first surface and in a direction that is generally perpendicular to the second edge from a first end proximal the second edge to a second end distal the second edge, and wherein the rib is tapered such that an extent of the rib from the first surface at the first end is greater than an extent of the rib from the first surface at the second end; and 
 wherein when the support portion of one of the elongate supports and a portion of a second one of the two adjacent tiles proximate its second edge are received within the groove of a first one of the two adjacent tiles and the rib of the second one of the two adjacent tiles is received in the recess formed in the second surface of the first one of the two adjacent tiles. 
 
     
     
       2. The tile system of  claim 1 , wherein the groove on each tile is formed by one or more discrete features that are spaced apart across the first edge. 
     
     
       3. The tile system of  claim 1 , wherein each tile has a third edge and a fourth edge, the fourth edge being generally opposite the third edge, and wherein the third and fourth edges are provided with complementary shapes such that two adjacent tiles can cooperate so as to partially overlap; and
 wherein a body portion of each tile is provided adjacent to the third edge of the respective tile with a first recessed portion on the first surface provided by the body portion and the body portion of each tile is provided adjacent to the fourth edge with a second recessed portion on the second surface provided by the body portion, the second surface being opposite to the first surface; and 
 wherein each tile is provided with one or more engagement features proximate at least one of the third edge and the fourth edge of the tile, said engagement features being arranged to limit relative transverse movement of two adjacent tiles. 
 
     
     
       4. The tile system of  claim 1 , wherein each tile included in the at least two tiles is formed from one of plastics material and sheet metal. 
     
     
       5. The tile system of  claim 1 , wherein the support portion and the attachment portion of each elongate support are generally parallel, spaced-apart and connected via a connection portion. 
     
     
       6. The tile system of  claim 1 , further comprising a first support for supporting a first row of tiles; wherein the first support comprises a drip edge; and wherein the first support comprises one or more apertures along its length. 
     
     
       7. The tile system of  claim 1 , wherein each elongate support is formed from sheet material. 
     
     
       8. A tile for use in the tile system of  claim 1 . 
     
     
       9. A tile comprising:
 a body portion, the body portion being generally planar and rectangular in shape and having a first edge and a second edge, the second edge being generally opposite the first edge, the body portion further having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface; 
 a groove proximate the first edge of the body portion, the groove being open in a direction that faces away from the body portion and which is generally in a plane of the body portion, wherein the groove of is formed from at least one protrusion having a first portion which extends generally away from the second surface and a second portion which extends generally parallel to the body portion towards the first edge, wherein the second surface of each tile is formed to define a recess that extends into the second surface toward the first surface and opens toward the second portion of the at least one protrusion; and 
 one or more engagement features on the portion of the tile proximate its second edge, wherein the one or more engagement features includes a rib on the first surface of the tile proximate the second edge, the rib extending in a direction that is generally perpendicular to the second edge from a first end proximal the second edge to a second end distal the second edge, and wherein the rib is tapered such that an extent of the rib from the first surface at the first end is greater than an extent of the rib from the first surface at the second end; 
 wherein an internal dimension of the groove is greater than an external dimension of a portion of the tile proximate the second edge; and 
 wherein a portion of the tiles proximate its second edge is configures to be received in the groove of a similar adjacent tile such that the rib of the tile is received in the recess formed in the second surface of the similar adjacent tile. 
 
     
     
       10. The tile of  claim 9 , wherein the groove is formed by one or more discrete features that are spaced apart across the first edge. 
     
     
       11. The tile of  claim 9 , wherein the body portion has a third edge and a fourth edge, the fourth edge being generally opposite the third edge, and wherein the third and fourth edges are provided with complementary shapes such that two adjacent tiles can cooperate so as to partially overlap; and
 wherein the body portion is provided adjacent to the third edge with a first recessed portion on the first surface of the body portion and the body portion is provided adjacent to the fourth edge with a second recessed portion on the second surface of the body portion, the second surface being opposite to the first surface; and 
 wherein the tile is provided with one or more engagement features proximate at least one of the third edge and the fourth edge of the tile, said engagement features being arranged to limit relative transverse movement of two adjacent tiles. 
 
     
     
       12. The tile of  claim 9 , wherein the tile is formed from at least one of plastics material and sheet metal. 
     
     
       13. A kit of parts comprising:
 at least two tiles, each tile being generally rectangular in shape and having a first edge and a second edge, the second edge being generally opposite the first edge each tile including a general planar portion having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface; and 
 at least one elongate support, each elongate support having an attachment portion and a support portion; 
 wherein proximate the first edge each tile is provided with a groove, the groove being configured to receive the support portion of one of the elongate supports and a portion of an adjacent tile proximate its second edge, wherein the groove of each tile is formed from at least one protrusion having a first portion which extends generally away from the second surface of the generally planar portion and a second portion which extends generally parallel to the generally planar portion towards the first edge of the tile, and wherein the second surface of each tile is formed to define a recess that extends into the second surface toward the first surface and opens toward the second portion of the at least one protrusion; and 
 wherein each tile is provided with one or more engagement features on a portion of the first surface of the tile proximate its second edge; 
 wherein the one or more engagement features includes a rib on the first surface of each tile proximate the second edge, the rib extending away from the first surface and in a direction that is generally perpendicular to the second edge from a first end proximal the second edge to a second end distal the second edge, and wherein the rib is tapered such that an extent of the rib from the first surface at the first end is greater than an extent of the rib from the first surface at the second end; and 
 wherein when the support portion of one of the elongate supports and a portion of a second one of the two adjacent tiles proximate its second edge are received within the groove of a first one of the two adjacent tiles and the rib of the second one of the two adjacent tiles is received in the recess formed in the second surface of the first one of the two adjacent tiles. 
 
     
     
       14. The tile system of  claim 1 , wherein the recess is defined by a surface that includes a first portion that is generally parallel with the first surface and a second portion that tapers at an angle away from the first portion. 
     
     
       15. The tile system of  claim 14 , wherein the groove on each tile is formed by one or more discrete features that are spaced apart across the first edge. 
     
     
       16. The tile system of  claim 15 , wherein the one or more engagement features includes a second rib spaced apart from the rib in a direction transverse to the second edge. 
     
     
       17. The tile system of  claim 9 , wherein the recess is defined by a surface having a first portion that is generally parallel with the first surface and a second portion that tapers at an angle away from the first portion. 
     
     
       18. The tile system of  claim 17 , wherein the groove is formed by one or more discrete features that are spaced apart across the first edge. 
     
     
       19. The tile system of  claim 13 , wherein the recess is defined by a surface having a first portion that is generally parallel with the first surface and a second portion that tapers at an angle away from the first portion and wherein the groove of each tile is formed by one or more discrete features that are spaced apart across the first edge.